1st Tri Screening - NT Scan

I never uploaded my 12 week pic but here's today at 12w5d. It's not so much bump as it is the effects of eating everything in sight, but it's a start. Oh, and I’m calling the baby LT, short for Little T, and referring to him in the masculine. We don’t know the sex, but I hate saying it or he/she all the time. I’ll switch it up to feminine on my next post.

 
On to what this post is really all about. We had the Nuchal Translucency Scan today. First the good news then the details.

LT’s measurements were great and pending blood work results, our risk of chromosomal abnormalities is low! Woohoo!!

Now the details.

The NT Scan measures the fluid at the base of the baby’s skull. Combine the results of the scan with the blood work and that gives you a ratio of your baby’s chances of having chromosomal abnormalities, like trisomy 13, 18, or 21 (Down’s), Turner syndrome, or Triploidy. If there is too much fluid combined with poor blood work results, you have a higher risk. I’ve read that over 3.0mm is concerning, between 2.5mm-3.0mm is gray area, and anything under 2.0mm is good, obviously all depending on the results of the b/w. 

LT's was 1.6mm so that's great!

Our appointment was at 12:45, and we got there 10 minutes early. There wasn’t anyone in reception (lunch from 12-1) so we signed in and sat down. There was a couple already waiting, another couple walked in right after us, a woman and her mom walked in next, and then a couple more couples and single women. So by the time the staff got back from lunch and called the first patient back, there were 8-9 pregnant women waiting to be seen by 2 doctors, at least 3 of those women were new patients. Yeh, our wait was nearly 90 minutes. I don’t get doctors.

I was too excited to let the wait bother me though. Jason on the other hand was not a happy camper. But when they did finally call us back, it was worth it. Tech Amanda took us to this big room with the u/s machine and a small flat screen for me to look at. This was my first outside ultrasound so I was just happy not to have to show new people my goods.

LT’s heart rate was 160bpm so it seems like it’s starting to lower from its past 170-175 range. We saw body parts galore! Not just a little squished looking gummy bear. There were arms and legs and feet and a spine and a face and nose. It was the coolest.

The tech tried to wiggle my belly to get him to move because he was apparently sleeping but it wasn’t happening. Stubborn and lazy…that comes straight from mom and dad.

After the tech got all her measurements, she left and Dr. B came in. I’d heard not-so-great things about him from several people so I was kinda bummed it was him and not the other doctor, but he was really great. Very personable, spoke in non-doctor speak, was laid-back. He did shake my hand a little sissy-fied but other than that, no complaints at all.

Once he talked with us a few minutes, he took another long look at LT. In the 10 minutes between scans, he had woken up and was moving all around. It was so weird to watch. Obviously, there is this living person in my belly moving around, but I don’t feel a thing. He kept jumping like he was being poked. So freaking cute!

Dr. B tried to get a look at the goods to tell us if LT is a he or a she, but he never was able to get the money shot. I was looking too because I’ve been reading about the Nub Theory and the Angle of the Dangle (someone’s going to type that in Google and be very surprised when they find this blog), but the legs were in the way the whole time.

After the scan, I got my finger pricked and they’re checking to see if I’m a cystic fibrosis carrier. I think this was checked when I did all my karyotype and RPL testing with Dr. V, but we opted to have it done anyway.

Next appointment with them is in 5 weeks. It’s the Anatomy Scan, or “the big one,” as Dr. B called it. I’ll be 17w4d. This is probably the most important scan as it tells you if everything is physically ok with the baby so I’m anxious/excited/nervous about it. We should also find out the sex then too which is exciting.

All in all, a very good day.

BabyT: 12 weeks

There hasn't been much going on so I didn't update last week. I added a couple more categories, and I'm going to start taking weekly (I hope) pictures of m'bump to see how huge I, I mean, it gets. My wonderful husband doesn't know it yet but he's going to serve as my photographer; howeva, he's currently asleep on the couch so I'll update this to add the pic later tonight.


How far along: 12 weeks (eek!!)

Fruit: Plum

Symptoms: Still no sickness. I’ve really lucked out with this so far. I’ve even been less tired lately. Although, Monday I did come home, go straight to bed, woke up at 9, ate cereal, and went back to bed until I had to get up for work the next morning. It wasn’t exhaustion though, just a really bad headache.

Weight gain: I fluctuate between about 3-5lbs gained. I've always been about a 5lb fluctuator.

Food aversions: Still nothing. Again, really lucky.

Food indulgences: Fruit is still my main daily indulgence. I pretty much give in to anything I want, which is horrible I know, but the main stay has been fruit. 

Maternity Clothes: Not yet. I did buy a maternity shirt at Target for the weekly bump pics.

Doctor appointments: Haven’t had anything for 2 and a half weeks. I knew there would be long spans of no appointments or check-ups, but I thought they'd go by pretty quick. Not the case. I do know the doppler is the best invention ever. 

Most memorable moment: Every time I get to hear your heartbeat on the doppler, it’s the best moment of my day. I’m actually kind of proud of myself because I only use it every couple of nights. The other night you gave me a good show. You were loud and proud for several minutes before you swam away. I even called your Nanna and she got to hear. She and your grandpa are convinced you’re a boy and every morning, your grandpa pats the camo onesie I used to tell him about you. Although, your cousin Reagan is telling everyone “Aunt Sandi has a baby in her belly” (thanks, Moo!) and is convinced you’re a girl and your name is Holly. No idea where she comes up with this stuff.

Most anxious moment: I’ve been okay lately. I can find you in a matter of seconds on the doppler now so no scares there. I’m ready to see you next week though.

Things purchased for baby: I bought a maternity shirt at Target today. It's so I can take weekly-ish pictures to keep track of the growing bump. And the same friends who are giving us the furniture are also giving us a Pack-n-Play and high chair thingy. I’m not real sure what the high chair thing is but he said it was really useful so we’ll figure it out together. We’ve got this. Oh, and your dad can’t keep his trap shut so he’s been telling everyone he works with about you and one of the guys has a lot of baby stuff he wants to give you.

Milestones: We're 12 weeks today!! Some consider that the start of the 2nd trimester. My math brain is going by the whole 40 ÷ 3 = 13.333 so 13w3d is the first day of 2nd Tri, but this is still a major milestone. Not only does it mean your chances of sticking around for the long haul are significantly increased, but I also get to stop the nasty progesterone suppositories!! Ok, obviously the whole supp thing takes a back seat to your chances of being here for the next 28 weeks, but those things are seriously gross.

Next appointment: I finally have an answer for this! My first MFM appointment is Wednesday, 2/13. We’ll be getting the NT scan and 1st Tri screening blood work, and I’ll ask about getting the MaterniT21 test. They weren’t going to schedule this until I was 13w3d but that was just way too close for comfort for me since if you’re too big, they can’t get the right readings, so they moved it to 12w5d after some gentle negotiating from your mommy.